What's Happening?

Carin, Mani, and I are pleased with our first two harvests. Members began receiving their share of vegetables and herbs on July 7th. Compared to last season, our first delivery came two weeks later. This was due to a few factors--like the late killing frosts of May and early June, and the challenges of growing in a new location that hadn't been cultivated for many years.

We paid a local farmer a large sum of money to plow and disc about three of the 5 acres we are now using. He also helped sow five kilos of sweet corn seed, which is now growing quite well.

Although we had joined the Cumberland Farmers Market Association as vendors, we feel inclined to delay attending the venue until such time that we have a large surplus of produce. In this way, we can assure that our CSA members are satisfied with their fair share of what is currently available. Soon we will see our more popular summer crops like squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes begin to mature.

Please be reminded that we are on site at the farm most of the week...away from the luxury of computers and the Internet. But we are always available through our cellphone if there are any questions, or if you just want to say hello. The number is 613-866-6264.

Volunteers are always a welcome addition to our farm. Asha (pictured above with the Dude) is the newest member of Just Food Ottawa. A student of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo, Asha has been to the farm twice. The first visit was for four days, where she made a lasting impression with Carin and I, along with our son Mani. Her solid work ethic and passion for healthful local foods, she has definitely proven herself in the fields and our hearts.

This past weekend she returned with her mother, younger sister, and two friends from her local young adults group to help in the gardens. With so many hands, we were able to complete the transplanting and mulching of over 250 squash, watermelon, muskmelon and cucumber plants. Great job and kudos to everyone.

This week we have the pleasure of hosting our friend Marta (another CSA member too). And as no surprise, Asha will be returning this week too. The blessings never cease to amaze Carin and I.

We hope to see more of you soon, maybe to give a hand harvesting, or just to coem out and enjoy the peace and tranquility of our summer home on the farm.

Spring is well underway, but Mother Nature hasn't said goodbye to her friend Jack Frost. We're in the first week of June, but still we are expecting frosty weather.

The unusual weather patterns have caused quite a disruption in our schedule. This has been a common story among our farming friends this season.

So when the crops finally come and our bellies are full with all that fresh food from the gardens, we will feel better about right now.

We appreciate our members' patience. Soon, we will be bringing you the fruits of our labor. We look forward to enjoying the fresh produce too.

We have 135 kilos of certified organic seed potatoes to put in the ground by the middle of June-along with nearly as many onion sets to go in through early July. Anyone interested will be fed a great lunch to say thanks and to talk about a good hard day's work. Give a call at 613-834-9637 or email (see contact).

We were amazed to learn that many other growers were suffering from Mother's wrath. Ol' Jack Frost came a calling a few times more than we care to discuss around the water fountain. Our new greenhouse was downsized to a pair of smaller coldframes. They work very well, and the winds don't seem to affect them.

Our friends in Quebec lost many onions, and our host Ian Walker lost over 180 tomato plants to dipping evening temperatures...in May. We lost many pepper and eggplant. But our peas, beans, and loads of seedlings are doing great.

With the help of our friends Joe & Marta, we built Valentino's first greenhouse. It was a challenge-- some unexpected winds blew the top off while we were away. But all is well now. Once the ground dries a bit, we will be busy cultivating and sowing mountains of seeds.

The new structure measures 32 feet wide by 48 feet long. It will be our seed starting area for a while. Then it will be converted to grow in-ground heat loving crops like eggplant, peppers, and more. Later in the season, we will use it for fall greens and other cool weather crops.

Mother Nature blew her winds across the farmlands of Ottawa last week, and destroyed the greenhouse--twice! Well, not all was lost. The materials were left intact, just twisted a bit. So we listened to the winds, and downsized the building to a pair of smaller coldframes. So far, Mother is happy, and has left them alone.

As farmers, we have to roll with the puches, brush off the dust, and keep moving forward. It is likely that Mother Nature has more in store for the season...maybe a plague of pesky insects, or a long dry spell perhaps? No worries...we have learned to expect the unexpected.

Some sad news from our friends in Pennsylvania. Covered Bridge Produce in Oley, Pennsylvania has called it quits. The 5-acre heritage farm will go on the auction block next month after a failed attempt by the owners to make a go at organic farming and a 600-member CSA.

Carin and I worked there as interns in 2004, when it was a struggling 285-member good food box program. Different from traditional CSA's, CBP grew over 100 kinds of produce in multiple varieties, and allowed members to order 10 items each week from the list. It was a nightmare back then for 285 members, and we can only imagine how it was for 600 members.

The end result is a failed farm that will go to the highest bidder. Likely, the neighboring cash crop farmers will absorb the land and sell off the house to recoup the cost of the total sale.

Our friends in Clarence Creek, Ontario have launched a new E-zine website. Greenspill is a place for green-minded people to share stories, skills, and everything in between. Take a moment to check it out. The address is http://vertdire.greenspill.ca/

Ian Walker of Mariposa Farms has opened up a new chapter in Valentino's book of dreams. For two years Carin and I have worked a small 1/2 acre plot of dairy land. But beginning in April of 2007 we will be moving to an off-grid cabin--free to create our own oasis on a piece of land untouched for nearly two decades.

The cabin sits inside the south-facing tree line. Two solar panels direct Earth Mother's suitor into a portable charging station. Four low-voltage lights illuminate the one room chalet. An old oil drum rests upon a stone hearth. The privy sits alone about 10 paces from the porch.

Compared to the luxury of urban living, it might seem rustic. But there's nothing like stringing a hammock between the trees on a hot August afternoon.

We will be learning to work a team of draft horses. If freedom from fossil fuels means saying "giddy-up", then I'm all for it. Besides, horses contribute to the compost pile and make great companions too.

To get an early start this spring, we are constructing a greenhouse. Transplants, will be followed by in-ground crops like melons. peppers, egplant, and cucumbers. These heat-loving plants will be followed with late season greens and root crops. Another building will house our laying hens and toolshed.

Finally, we are excited about Cumberland Village's 2nd Annual Farmers Market. Saturday June 23 will be the first of 13 market days--ending September 15.